2010 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing North Shore Guide


 

 

The 28th annual Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, a 38-day, six-event professional surfing competition (three for men, three for women), is the surf world’s most prestigious annual contest. It’s also the final stop for surfing’s best on the 2010 Association of Surfing Professionals yearlong world tour.

Each Triple Crown event keeps an extended holding period, with competition happening only on days with big surf—in general, sustained wave heights of 15 feet or higher.


Triple Crown pros have to compete in all three events in their respective gender categories, with each event crowning an individual champion. The male and female surfer who gains the most points over all three of their events wins the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing overall championship.
All Triple Crown surf competitions are free and open to the public. Beat traffic and get the best spots on the beach by leaving town very early.


All events run from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Expect thousands of surf fans, media and the just plain curious on days when the waves are kicking.

In honor of Hawaii world champion surfer Andy Irons, the Triple Crown is halting all competition on Sun., Nov. 14—regardless of wave conditions—to allow surfers the full day to attend the Irons family memorial services and paddle-out on Kauai. A second memorial service and paddle-out ceremony before the start of the Triple Crown’s Billabong Pipe Masters on Dec. 8 at the Banzai Pipeline will also honor Irons.

All Triple Crown surf competitions are free and open to the public. 

 

 Sunset Beach
The Gidget Pro
(women’s event)
Nov. 24 - Dec. 6

O’Neill World Cup of Surfing
(men’ event)
Nov. 24 - Dec.6


Location: Kamehameha Hwy, 8 miles east of Haleiwa town

Sunset Beach Park

  • Second stop of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.
  • Northern-most beach park on the North Shore coastline.
  • Surfing takes place more than 100 yards out to sea.
  • Sunset Beach is the standard by which other beaches are measured.
  • Pre-modern Hawaiians knew Sunset as Paumalu.
  • Surfboard riding began here prior to the 19th century.
  • Parking isn’t always close to the beach park so bring additional transportation, like a skateboard or bicycle.
Known by surfers for:

        - Its reputation as a surf break where champions are made and broken.

        - The “West Peak”—a classic Sunset Beach wave known for being fast-moving and unpredictable.

        - A strong rip current dubbed “Sunset Rip”—a challenge for surfers trying to complete their ride on the break’s “West Peak.”

Beach access:  Just off of Kamehameha Hwy.

Bathrooms? Yes

Parking? The Sunset Beach Park parking lot will be open first come, first serve. Parking will also be allowed along Kamehameha Hwy, but if surf is big expect a bit of walk to the beach.
 

Banzai Pipeline

Billabong Pipe Masters
(men’s event)
Dec. 8-20

Vans Duel for the Jewel
(women’s event)
Dec. 8-20

Location: Ehukai Beach Park, Kamehameha Hwy, 7 miles east of Haleiwa town

Ehukai Beach Park

  • Home to the Banzai Pipeline.
  • Located across the street from Sunset Beach Elementary School (don’t park in the school parking lot).
  • Ehukai is the Hawaiian word for ‘sea spray’.
  • Equipped with bathrooms and showers.
  • Pipeline is the ultimate viewing experience for spectators because the waves break 35 yards from shore.
  • Upon arrival walk to the sand and look left to see the Billabong Pipe Masters.
Known by surfers for:

       -  Its reputation as the most dangerous surf spot on Earth, claiming, on average, one life annually mostly due to its dangerous shallow reef. The last Pipeline death occurred in March 2008.

       - The biggest waves of all Triple Crown of Surfing events.

       - Producing some of the most photographed and filmed waves in the world.

Beach access:  Just off Kamehameha Hwy.

Bathrooms? Yes

Parking? The Ehukai Beach Park parking lot will be open first come, first serve. Parking for fee will also be allowed along Kamehameha Hwy.
 Vans Duel for the Jewel
Dec, 8-20, 2010
$55,000 Triple Crown decider event

This year, for the first time, the final stage of both the men's and women's Triple Crown titles will come down to razor-edged drama at Pipeline in both the men's Billabong Pipe Masters and the Vans women's Duel for the Jewel.

The Duel for the Jewel is a specialty event with a $55,000 prize purse that features the top four women contenders based upon accumulative Vans Triple Crown standings after the first two events. Results from all three events will then be combined to reveal the women's Vans Triple Crown champion.
 
 
Click for photo tribute
 

Send in Your Tribute to Andy Irons

Andy Irons... Hawaii's favourite son & 3X ASP World Champion sadly departed the world recently. Billabong has set up a tribute site where you can choose your favourite Andy image and apply a special message to the great man.

Create your own now - isurfbecause.com



 













• Billabong Pipe Masters defending champion: Taj Burrow (Australia)

• Vans Duel for the Jewel defending champion: None. This is a first-year competition replacing the Billabong Pro Maui, which could not secure a sponsor.

• Billabong Pipe Masters total prizes: $400,000

• Vans Duel for the Jewel total prizes: $55,000